Studies indicate that hearing is the last of the senses to be lost.

Therefore it is encouraged that you to continue to talk to the person even if they appear to be unconscious.

---

You don't know why that information came to you now, as you lay on the cold concrete.

Your vision was gone even though you were sure your eyes were still open.

You couldn't feel anything, not the pain of the bullet to your chest, or the impact of your skull hitting the ground.

You couldn't tase the iron of the blood filling your mouth, or smell the iron of your blood mixed with the burning smell of a bullet being fired

But you could hear yelling.

You could hear a fight, gloved fists hitting flesh. The scuffle of boots. Voices. A gunshot.

But more clearly you could hear your name, in the voice that you loved but you never managed to express that love

You can hear the pleading, the bargaining, assuring you that you are ok, that you have had worse... it was all a lie

But you don't regret taking that bullet... because if anything, your fate was to die for others

You feel yourself fading, what felt like minutes was really just seconds. No more pain, just your favourite sound guiding you to peace

---

It took you 5 months to 'wake' from your coma.

At first it was just intermittent sounds. Beeping, muffled voices- nothing distinctive

Then things became clearer. Your squad taking turns visiting you and giving you updates on life. Reading to you. Lecturing you. You could hear the TV or radio playing, always your favourites.

Then you could feel. The coldness. The horrible black ice pit that you were suspended in. And then warmth; a hand on yours. You think you managed to twitch a finger at that- a sign that you were still inhabiting the husk of your body

And finally, your sight

Everything was blurry and hard to see in the dim light of the room- it must be night. But the bucket hat was unmistakable... of course he would be with you....